The common name "Fall crocus" applies to not only most of the species of the Colchicum genus, but also the real crocuses of the Crocus genus that bloom in the fall (e.g. Crocus speciosus). The two are very different, and Colchicum belongs to the Lily family, while Crocus belongs to the Iris family.
So Natalie, it's not unusual that the two "Fall crocuses" that you saw would be different. They very well could be different, but with the same name "Fall crocus".
